Women's History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting a few of the remarkable women in our organization who advocate for equity and inspire positive change in our communities.

Kathy Bader Courtney , Chief Operating Officer, is committed to creating an environment where employees feel valued and comfortable being themselves, allowing them to better serve each other, our members, and our communities.

“I continuously seek to understand and surround myself with individuals who are different from me – different background, different identities, different skillsets.? I feel that starts with education and learning, making myself uncomfortable on purpose, and knowing who I am first and foremost.?

One example of this is in my personal life, I’ve worked, lived, and traveled to several countries and still try to travel as often as I can – that alone has expanded my understanding of different cultures, religions, customs, etc. and helped me gain a great understanding of my own background and the US and how that differs.?This also taught me lessons about how to bring diverse groups of individuals together more effectively. I also regularly read books, watch documentaries, etc. to educate myself.?

At work, one of the recent highlights has been getting to work more closely with our DEI team.?I am excited about some of the big work ahead of us this year – which includes clearly defining what DEI means to GreenState, what success looks like, and then aligning our roadmap of initiatives underneath that common goal and definition.?At the end of the day, we need to match the diversity of the members we are here to serve, and I am excited to continue this journey together. Lastly, a simple one, but I also try to seek out a network of diverse individuals who may be able to fill future positions that may open at the organization. Part of the challenge is getting a diverse pool of applicants, and this goes a long way towards that goal.

“Culture is not about conformity or sameness. It is about unlocking what is unique about each of us in the service of something shared. A team at its finest insists on the unique combination of each of its members in the service of something together and something none of us could do alone.”

I try to take this to heart in my role at GreenState – ensuring that we have the right individuals at the table when decisions are being made and that every individual’s voice is heard.?Using my ears and mouth in proportion, as they say, and not being quick to judge if an opinion is different than my own.? Adam Grant has a great book – “Think Again” that states a good day is when your mind is changed on something and that the ability to rethink and unlearn is a critical skill in today’s world.?He encourages not to think about disagreements as a threat to our egos, but rather an opportunity to learn.

While I am not perfect (none of us are), I continue to work towards this goal - ensuring there is space for everyone at the organization to bring their unique self to work, feel heard, and work together towards our common goal of serving each other, our members, and our communities.”?

Thank you, Kathy for your continued efforts in understanding diverse backgrounds, seeking opportunities to learn, and creating an inclusive environment where all employees can bring their best selves every day.